Indonesian rescuers on Monday recovered the body of a woman believed to be a member of a Spanish soccer coach’s family who went missing after a tour boat sank near Komodo National Park three days ago. The victim was found floating near the northern waters of Serai Island, approximately one kilometer from the site of the accident.

Fathur Rahman, chief of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that the body was discovered shortly after dawn when a local resident spotted it. The remains were transported to a hospital in Labuan Bajo, a gateway town to the national park, for identification with family members accompanying the ambulance to assist with the process.

The incident has devastated the family of Fernando Martín, 44, a coach for Valencia CF Women’s B team, who was on holiday with his wife and four children when tragedy struck. The boat, which was also carrying four crew members and a local guide, sank Friday evening after experiencing engine failure during a trip within the UNESCO World Heritage site.

In the immediate aftermath of the sinking, rescuers successfully saved Martín’s wife, Andrea, one of their children named Mar, along with the four crew members and the local guide. However, Martín himself and three of his children—aged 9, 10, and 12—remained unaccounted for until Monday’s discovery.

“Relatives of the victim joined the ambulance to ensure identification through medical and forensic procedures,” Rahman explained. He added that Andrea, their youngest daughter Mar, and the other survivors are in good health while authorities investigate the cause of the accident.

The search operation, now in its fourth day, has been significantly expanded. Nearly 100 personnel from various agencies, including police and navy units, are combing an area twice the size of the initial search zone. The operation now covers a much broader radius from the original sinking site where boat debris was located.

Rescuers are utilizing inflatable boats, navy ships, and dedicated rescue vessels, with support from local fishers and residents. Dive teams have also been deployed to search underwater. According to Indonesian regulations, search efforts will continue for at least seven days and may be extended if necessary.

Komodo National Park, located in eastern Indonesia, draws thousands of international tourists annually for its exceptional natural beauty, diving opportunities, and wildlife experiences. Most notably, the park is home to the endangered Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard species. The area features dramatic landscapes with rugged terrain and pristine beaches that make it a popular destination for adventure travelers.

The tragedy has resonated throughout the international soccer community. Valencia CF released a statement on social media platform X describing the incident as “a devastating loss” for the club and its community. Spain’s premier soccer league, La Liga, expressed “heartfelt support” in a message of solidarity, while prominent clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona also offered condolences to the family and the Valencia organization.

Maritime accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelagic nation comprised of more than 17,000 islands where boat travel is a primary mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. Safety standards are often inadequately enforced, and issues such as overcrowding frequently contribute to accidents in the country’s waters.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in Indonesia’s boating industry, particularly in remote tourist destinations where regulations may be less stringently applied. For visitors to these areas, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with maritime travel in the region, despite the natural wonders that continue to draw travelers from around the world.

As the search continues for the remaining missing family members, local authorities have pledged to maintain their efforts with all available resources while the investigation into the cause of the sinking progresses.